FRANCHISE NOTES

In Boston, Peter May on Larry Bird saying he plans to
return to basketball in a front office position: "In short,
[Celtics Chair Paul] Gaston is the one in whose hands this
whole matter lies. His judgment is on the line. His
stewardship of the franchise is on the line. His fiduciary
responsibility to shareholders is on the line. He has the
franchise's most valuable resource in the last generation
issuing a clarion call. Will he listen?" (BOSTON GLOBE,
3/30)....Washington Sports President Susan O'Malley, on
reaction to ticket increases for the Bullets and Caps at the
new MCI Center: "The (fans') reaction is what we though it
would be." In DC, Heath & Solomon note although "several"
interviewed expressed concerns over MCI Center, including
parking, safety, and the ticket price increases, most said
they would stay with the teams (WASHINGTON POST, 3/30).